East Asian Studies

Why choose East Asian studies at North Central College?

You’ll master the knowledge and language you’ll need to work in East Asian countries like China and Japan. Beyond that, you’ll explore the cultural realities that shape these societies and deepen your understanding of them. An independent review recently described North Central’s East Asian studies major as “impressive,” noting its strong curriculum, committed faculty, well-established language programs and wide range of study abroad options.

You may also:

Network with faculty and alumni, meet guest speakers, and plan social outings with the Japan Club, ASK (Asian Student Konnection), and International Club.
Take advantage of North Central’s extensive library resources on East Asia.
Enjoy easy access to cultural destinations like Chicago’s Chinatown.
Participate in the College’s unique combined China/Japan study abroad program during your sophomore year, then pursue traditional study abroad programs in Japan, Taiwan, Korea or China during your junior or senior year.

Kelly Cox earns College's 2012 Outstanding Major in East Asian Studies Award

Kelly Cox of Plainfield was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in East Asian Studies Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

Mulberry Child

Click here to watch when Author Jian Ping presented the film "Mulberry Child" to a packed room at North Central College.

Senior Art Show showcases artwork by 11 seniors

Paintings, drawings, ceramics, sculpture by North Central College students are featured in the 2012 Senior Art Show, May 10-June 12, in two gallery locations.

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Graduate Schools

Recent graduates in East Asian studies have been accepted at:

Kyoto University, Ph.D. in religious studies
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
University of Washington, Korean studies
Valparaiso School of Law

Careers

Recent graduates in East Asian studies include:

English teacher, Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme
Nongovernment organizations
Information technology
Finance
Government

Feature

Stephanie Kuersten

East Asian Studies

Stephanie has immersed herself in diverse cultures. The way she sees it, “You need to know the cultures you’re studying.” In addition to her major in East Asian Studies with a focus on Japan, she added majors in Japanese and French.

She also studied abroad at Kanda University of International Studies in Japan and Université Catholique de L’Ouest in France. “North Central is great at setting you up in study abroad programs.”

Stephanie received North Central’s Richter Independent Study Fellowship allowing her to study in France and present her findings at a national conference. On campus, she was a College Scholar, coeditor of student literary journal and officer in the International Club.

“I find it’s very easy to adapt to East Asian cultures, which are not as different as they seem,” she says.

Stephanie plans to work in publishing, translating English to Japanese to French and back.

Feature

Kelly Cox

East Asian studies major

“I was originally drawn to East Asian music; later I connected with the region’s values of respect and harmony. I also love the sound of the languages,” says Kelly. “I majored in East Asian studies so that I could study more than one country.”

Kelly is carefully mapping a path to her goal of teaching English in China, Japan, Korea, Thailand or Vietnam. On campus, she’s active in the Japan Club, Korean Club and Asian Student Konnection. “Our goal is to expose the campus and community to the cultures of these countries,” she says. “For example, each year we show Japanese films and host ‘Taste of Asia.’ It’s great fun and we all learn a lot in the process.” Kelly also corresponds with a few pen pals and plans to study in Japan or Korea during her junior year; as a senior, she’ll pursue a teaching internship in East Asia.

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